Executive Affiliates Inc. Arbor Gates at Buckhead Horrible Business Practices, Poor Service, Illegal Big Rock, Illinois

Moved out of apartment due to lost job.  Told them upfront.  Manager agreed to "work something out".  Manager said he would be in touch to tell me what he could work out for me.  Never heard from Manager again.  Received notice from collection agency for $4,200.  Notice made no mention of cash deposit of $1,250 I made, nor deducted that from the amount due.  Called Manager and Asst. Mgr. wouldn't let me speak to him.  Asst. Mgr. proceeded to berate and yell at me in his typical diva-like voice.  Said it was all my fault and that he sent a letter to my old address and my new address.  Claimed the letters were returned to sender, yet all other mail from old address was properly forwarded to me.  Also, the collections company had no trouble sending a letter to my new address.  I asked why he didn't call and he said it wasn't his problem.  He told me I could not talk to the Mgr. who verbally told me he would work something out and be in touch.  He told me it went to collections and too bad there is nothing he can do.  I explained that I had received no documentation whatsoever and shouldn't they have to ensure something reaches me before sending off to collections.  He again said this was my fault, too bad.

I got the regional manager's number and he never returned my calls.  I got his boss's number and she never returned my calls.  I called their corporate office and the receptionist said I am not allowed access to anyone higher in the organization.  I questioned that customer service practice and she said her job is to ensure I can get no higher.

I have filed with the BBB, AG, etc.  I was warned by many others not to deal with this property and didn't listen.

If I owe money for breaking my lease, then I am OK with that.  What must be illegal is to generate an invoice, not tell me what I owe, not notify me at all, and then send it straight to a collection agency.  Wouldn't the property owner be required to notify me a bit more formally before reporting me to a credit agency?  Can they really create a balance owed out of nowhere, not tell me about it, then report it to a collection agency?  I would think you have to notify the person that something like this is coming.